One of the best things about Downton Abbey is the costuming. In fact Downton Abbey has been nominated for several Outstanding Costumes for a Series awards at the Emmys, BAFTA and other award ceremonies. Who wouldn't love to dress in the opulence of Lady Mary, or the sweetness of Lady Sybil? Downton Abbey characters inspire dreams of luxury. I have searched around the web to find costumes that would make the perfect Downton Abbey DIY Halloween costumes. Many of these lovely gowns would also be perfect for a Downton Abbey style wedding!
Downton Abbey Halloween Costumes
Pre 1920 - Edwardian Fashion
Seasons 1 and 2 of Downton Abbey take place in the Edwardian period.Edwardian clothes was quite different than the preceding Victorian period. Clothes from 1901-1919s were design to accentuate a woman's figure with flowing, long lines and very detailed laces and trims. Of course daughters of an earl would be expected to change several times a day, as there were different outfits to be worn if one was walking, paying calls, or horseback riding. Of course everyone dressed in their finest evening ware for a dinner at the manor house. These dresses are floor length or perhaps just to the ankle.
Click on any gown or costume picture to see buying options.
Click on any gown or costume picture to see buying options.
Lady Edith, Lady Sybil and Lady Mary, Downton Abbey, Season 1.
These gowns are elegant representations of some of the dresses available online. Some are "costume" quality while others are elegant gowns that could be worn as evening wear. To find these online, try searching "Downton Abbey costume" or "Edwardian dress costume". Any would look great for unique Halloween costume party.
Custom Made Downton Abbey Dress
Chocolate Vintage Look Tea Downton Abbey Dress - victoriantradingco.com
Nataya 40163 Downton Abbey Tea Party Gown in Ruby Plum - romanceofyesteryear.com
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Black Lace Long Gown - modcloth.com
Nataya 40007 Dress in Black/Coco
Nataya 40163 Downton Abbey Wedding Gown in Pearl - wardrobeshop.com
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Downton Abbey Halloween Costume - Nataya 5901 Black/Silver Dress
Geranium Dress form Victorian Trading Company
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Christmas Special - Season 2. One of the most beautiful scenes in the whole series was when Matthew and Mary were standing out in the lightly falling snow, and Matthew proposes to Mary. (oh why did you have to break our hearts and leave the show, Dan Stevens?)
Downton Abbey Couples Costumes
Countess of Grantham Costume - Chasing-fireflies.com
Here is a true Downton Abbey costume - one of the few licensed ones,brought to you by chasing-fireflies.com.
Be the lady of the manor, Cora, the Countess of Grantham in this beautiful outfit. Hat sold separately. 
Downton Abbey Maid's Costume
For the servants chasing-fireflies.com also has a couple's costume set for a maid and footman (or butler).
Little Girl Downton Abbey Maid Costume
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Earl of Grantham Costume - chasing-fireflies.com
To make this the perfect couples costume, chasing-fireflies.com also offers the Earl of Grantham 4 pc Halloween costume, which includes the jacket, shirt, knickers and cap. Boots sold separately. This would also work as a costume for Matthew.
Downton Abbey Footman Servants Costume
Men's Servants costume (go to site to view better pictures).
Great to team up with the Maid costume. 
All four of these adult Downton Abbey costumes are also available in children's sizes.
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Dressing Downstairs
Ladies Maid Dress - LadiesEmporium.com
Edwardian Day Dress
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Siobhann Finneran as Ladies Maid Sarah O'Brien
If you tend more towards Team Servants, there are more modest costumes too. This plain black dress would be perfect as a Ladies Maid dress, paired with black tights and shoes.
Kitchen maid Gwen at her job interview with the phone company. This style of dress was more fashionable in the period from 1900-1910. As a servant, they likely would not have had the latest fashions.
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Post War - 1920s
In the post World War I years the fashions became so much looser. Waistlines were dropped or non-existent. Embroidery and chiffon were often used as an over-layer to the silk or satin sheath shell underneath. Sequins adorned everything, especially 1920s "club wear".
Lady Rose MacClare shows the brilliance of the flapper dress of the 1920s. The dresses haven't quite gotten "short" yet, but they are definitely quite opulent.
Blush Pink Flapper Dress - ebay.com
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Gold Vintage Flapper Dress - ebay.com
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Anna-Kaci Embroidered Dress - amazon.com
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Bead Reproduction Flapper Dress - unique-vintage.com
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Accessories to finish the Look
To make the difference between looking like Lady Mary and just going on a night on the town, you need to concentrate on the accessories. Click on any photo to go to the product pictured.
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Doing your hair in the style of the time is another key way to make it obvious you are dressing like an earl's daughter or wife. An upswept bun with light curls or waves framing your face will definitely give you am vintage look.
Amazing Hairstyles by Becky Porter will help you get the look you want! |
Long Elbow Black Silken Satin Gloves - ladiesemporium.com
Long elbow length gloves will probably make the biggest difference in your Downton Abbey costume. Michelle Dockery as Lady Mary always wore skin tight gloves, often black satin. A pair of elegant gloves will definitely put the right look to your outfit.
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Period shoes finish off the details of your Lady of Downton Abbey look. Some are cute enough to wear with slacks or a skirt to the office.
These cute kitten heel shoes would look great with a vintage costume. For a slightly higher heel these Mary Janes would look fantastic with your Downton Abbey Halloween Costume.
The 20's flapper style headband and cloche hat will add extra sparkle to your costume, and complete your Lady Rose costume look!
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Lace Corset - ladiesemporium.com
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The use of a corset was a fact of life for Edwardian women. It accentuated a small waist and made a woman sit quite upright. They are quite uncomfortable but really gives a period costume the right look. Every woman wore one, even the servants (even actress Lesley Nichols wore one in her role as Mrs. Patmore). By the 1920s the use of the corset dropped dramatically.
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